CRESTVIEW HILLS – Thomas More College President Sister Margaret Stallmeyer, C.D.P has announced Jim Hilvert as the fourth head football coach in program’s 16-year history.

“I would like to thank our committee for lending its time and effort to this search,” said Stallmeyer. “We believe that Jim Hilvert will be a great addition to the Thomas More College community and the athletic department.”

Hilvert takes over for Mike Hallett, who resigned on December 18 to take the head coaching position at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio.

Hilvert comes to Thomas More after serving as the defensive coordinator at rival College of Mount St. Joseph. He spent seven seasons coaching at the Mount, where the Lions made three consecutive trips to the NCAA Playoffs. During his tenure at MSJ, he coached the conference’s defensive player of the year in four straight seasons, six All-North Region players and three All-Americans.

“I am very excited that Thomas More College has given me my first head coaching opportunity,” said Hilvert. “It’s exciting to have the challenge and opportunity at Thomas More. They have a solid tradition of football for the last 17 years. There is a core of good players that are ready for great things.”

In addition to his defensive coordinator role, Hilvert served as the recruiting and strength coordinator at Mount St. Joseph.

“We are excited to start a new era for Thomas More football,” said Thomas More Athletic Director Terry Connor. “We feel Coach Hilvert is the right person to continue building upon our successful tradition.”

A 1989 graduate of Elder High School in Cincinnati, OH, Hilvert earned his undergraduate degree at Div. II St. Joseph’s (IN). He was a graduate assistant at Div. I Western Michigan University, where he also earned his master’s degree. He and his wife, Jennifer, along with their daughter, Joy, reside in Highland Heights, KY.